Decentralizing Hollywood

January 21, 2013 (LocalOrg) - Sci-Fi short "R'ha" was created by one young German student using open source 3D modeling and animation software called Blender. It is one of many increasingly well-done independent shorts that exhibit near-Hollywood quality production value, all thanks to people leveraging technology locally to do for themselves what once was a financial and human capital intensive enterprise monopolized by a handful of studios.

"Digital filmmaking is transforming Hollywood, no doubt, but for
independent filmmakers, it is nothing short of a revolution. Case in
point: 22-year-old German student Kaleb Lechowski. After seven months of
writing, designing, and editing as well as reporting his progress on his blog, Kaleb recently posted his short sci-fi film R’ha
on Vimeo. The six-minute film, which does not include a single human
being, was completed as part of his first-year studies in digital film
design in Berlin."

"As more software tools become available to the masses and people
passionate about film invest their time into capturing their visions, we
are sure to see an increasingly number of short digital films of
Hollywood-level scope with a single individual in the credits."

Along with technology like 3D printing, CNC machining, and local institutions like hackerspaces, community gardens - open source software and hardware is lowering the costs of doing everything from design and engineering, to news and entertainment. Regardless of whether you are a science fiction fan, or like Kaleb Lechowski's artistic vision, the implications of his work are impressive and can be applied to whatever it is you do happen to like. In fact, alternative independent dramas, comedies, and news production are already common features on video-sharing websites - and now special effects-intensive science fiction is also beginning to get a fair representation.

While software giants, record companies, and Hollywood studios continue their assault on Internet freedom through draconian legislation like SOPA, ACTA, and PIPA, and as they continue hounding activists like Aaron Swartz literally to his death, solutions for undermining and circumventing this legislation - like the recently reported PirateBox - give us ways to continue sharing. Additionally, high quality shorts like "R'ha" made possible with improved open source tools, illustrate that in the very near future open source entertainment will simply begin replacing big-business all together.

The day will come when the urge to share proprietary "intellectual property" will no longer be appealing, even if it was encouraged by big-business.